Crafty Bits: Holland - crafterhours

We’ve done a few Crafty Bits Tours in the past. They’re not comprehensive tours so much as snapshots of inspiration along the way. We’ve done London, Berlin and Las Vegas. Not a strange collection at all. We twisted our friend Kim’s arm into photographing a spring trip to Holland, and posting it now means that if you still have time to catch a spring trip this year. At least that’s what I’m dreaming about after reading this. I’ve just got to get unpacked from the last trip before I can figure out the next. And maybe take a nap. -Susan

Hello Crafterhours readers, my name is Kim, I am Eve’s mom, remember the lucky girl who received the super cute jean jacket decorated and personalized by Susan and who has sewn her first top with the girls from Crafterhours. Susan and Adrianna certainly have inspired and challenged me to be more creative in my own life so I promised them to bring back some new craft inspiration from my trip to Holland.

To give you a little background, I was born and raised in Holland or as most call it “The Netherlands”. A small country located west of Germany, east of England and north of Belgium. My family still lives in Holland, I haven’t for the past 14 years, but I certainly try to visit them as often as I can.

Sometimes it takes some time away to truly appreciate the uniqueness, beauty, traditions and folklore of one’s country. On many occasions people have asked me what they should see when visiting the Netherlands. I would recommend the major (tourist) attractions, but I am a little embarrassed to admit that I haven’t been to most of these places my self.

Holland is known for its flowers in particular tulips, windmills, wooden shoes and unique delft blue porcelain/pottery oh and not to forget its delicious cheese.

Spring flowers in a Dutch Market

Traditional Windmill

Delft’s Blue porcelain ‘Dutch Boy & Girl’

Delft’s Blue porcelain ‘Canal houses’

So this time around I asked my parents to join me and visit the number one tourist attraction in Holland in the Spring: The “Keukenhof” gardens (www.keukenhof.nl) and let me tell you from a person that has now ACTUALLY been there what a fantastic place! I had never seen so many flowers, in the most fantastic colors, so beautifully and creatively displayed. It was truly ‘dutch’ candy for the eyes!

Tulips

More Tulips

I thought this was very creative and fun

Beautiful Tulip

Adrianna – sorry – I know you dislike purple, but this hyacinth
was so beautifully vibrant in color

We ‘Dutchies’ are particular proud of the unique shoes we wear in Holland. There is quite the variety available on the market nowadays.

Everyday

Evening

Boots

Aren’t they cute? Actually, people really don’t wear these anymore. They used to in the old days, worn mostly by farmers to protect their feet from dirt and heavy/sharp farming equipment. They are part of the traditional Dutch costume and a beloved souvenir. Contrary to popular belief, they are actually more comfortable then they look.

Layers of Dutch traditional costume

Dutch folklore really has made its comeback in modern life. Many baby nurseries are done in Dutch traditional colors (red, white and blue) and patterns. Patterns and figures found on our unique Delft Blue porcelain and traditional clothing make their comeback in kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms on a variety of products ranging from linens, tile, ribbons, fabric etc. You can find endless related inspiration here.

I just recently got introduced to this amazing (and I have to say quite addicting) crafting blog world, so please forgive me that this post does not include a wonderfully written tutorial, I will leave that to the pros. I hope this little trip to Holland provided you with some new inspiration for your new and unfinished projects.

Happy crafting! Or is that totally cheesy to say in crafty blog world …..

Dutch wheels of yummy cheese

Truly yours,

Kim

Comments

Jenny says

January 23, 2012 at 12:22 pm

Absolutely gorgeous, thanks for sharing your photos! Funny how we never see the touristy things at home… I have lived 20 mins away from Hearst Castle my whole life and have never done the real tour!

Mariska says

January 23, 2012 at 3:12 pm

Hello from a fellow expat ‘Dutchie’ :) Seeing these pictures makes me want to hop over there, too! Can almost smell the flowers, looking at your pics. And, I would LOVE to have a kroket :)
Thanks for sharing!

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